My husband used to say that 3D printers would soon be in houses everywhere. I would humor him with a nod and think how it was still a ways off. Then, a couple months ago I got an email from HP with an offer to try out their HP Sprout with what?! 3D scanning and printing capabilities. Seriously? I thought. This is a sure fire way to become the coolest wife ever. So I agreed and our journey started.

I am so excited about the possibilites this has opened up. I started with something fun for fall and embarked on my first 3D scan and print project, owl bookmarks. Are they not the cutest?

Wanna see what they started from? I had this quirky thrift store owl I had purchased a while ago gathering dust on the shelf just waiting to have a purpose. He fit the recommended guildelines (matte, fits within capture stage, light colors, etc.) for optimal 3D scanning with the Sprout and I thought he would be really fun printed tiny for jewelry or bookmarks.

So, how do you get from your inspiration object to being ready to print? I made this little video to show you the steps and tips I learned along the way for the best experience with 3D scanning. It will show you all you need to know to be on your way. You can learn even more at sprout.hp.com.

If your first scan does not work perfectly, don’t worry! I found objects can easily take six cycles or more to get a full 3D capture for a print. Like a lot of new technology it has a learning curve, but once you have it down the possibilities are endless! With software like Meshmixer and others you are not limited by what you can scan, only by what you can imagine!

Now, once you have your object scanned and changed to an .OBJ file you are ready to make your 3D print. I used the Dremel Idea Builder and man is it cool! See the printer in action on my Facebook page. My little owls only took 15 minutes each! Here’s one still in the printer.

Once I had all three printed, I painted them with liquid guilding to give them a metallic sheen. I love how they look in silver, brass, and gold! Then, I just glued them to some paper clip style bookmarks and that was that!

It has been so fun playing with 3D scanning and printing as well of the other features of the HP Sprout like the 2D capture and touch mat for editing. And now that the cat is out of the bag my husband is chomping at the bit to get his hands on it. He already has a line up of projects planned including printing a replacement leg for his keyboard that broke.

It’s cookie exchange season and there’s few things we love more than something that seems really special, but is secretly super easy! So what can take cookies to that next level? Candy. Or emulating your favorite candies. How about turtles with their pecans, chocolate and ooey gooey caramel. I took that idea and combined it with my favorite cookie recipe to create turtle cookies.

Go ahead, lick the screen, I won’t judge. The best thing about this recipe? It’s made with a cake mix which makes it sooo easy and fast to throw together for last minute on a busy week. This shortcut just gives you time to make them special with drizzed chocolate and a delicious caramel center that is secretly made so easily with the help of our friend the Rolo.

Ok, now that we’ve made you drool, on to the recipe.

TURTLE COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:

2 eggs

1/3 cup oil

Devil’s food cake mix

Rolos (about 24)

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix eggs, oil, and cake mix. Place a Rolo in a dough ball just large enough to cover the whole Rolo. Roll the top of the dough ball in the chopped pecans. Place on cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 9 minutes. Let them cool for one minute on the pan and then move to a cooling rack. (or sneak one while they are warm and the caramel is gooey!)

Microwave the chocolate chips in a bowl for 30 seconds at a time, stirring between, until smooth. Drizzle the chocolate over the top of the cookies using a spoon. Once all cookies are drizzled place them in the fridge for a few minutes to help the chocolate set.

Place on a plate for a cookie exchange or stack your delicious turtle cookies in a clear treat bag and add a festive ribbon for a cute and easy gift!

Michaels sent me a gift card and a list of Pinterest inspired projects with a challenge to make my own holiday DIY project. I saw this glitter candle and knew it would translate in to a great gift idea for my little guy’s preschool teacher. I chose to do a winter spin on the glitter candle gift so she can keep it out through January and it will keep her classroom looking cute and smelling great!

ITEMS NEEDED:

Ashland Jar Candle

Recollections Glass Glitter

Mod Podge Matte

Foam Brush

Paper Plate

Celebrate It Satin Ribbon (Pewter)

Wood Snowflake Ornament

Scissors

Pour a good amount of glitter on to a paper plate and spread to cover the bottom. I love how this glass glitter is almost like tiny mosaic tiles and really shines!

Using a foam brush, paint one side of the jar with a coat of mod podge. Roll that side of the candle in the glitter and let it dry. Repeat for the other side. Tie a ribbon around the neck of the jar, thread the ornament on to the ribbon and tie a bow to secure.

This is such a simple project with a big impact! We’ll be gifting this glitter candle to his teacher with a note that says, “Being in your class is ‘snow’ much fun!”

You can join the party at your local Michaels store on November 15th from 1-4 p.m. to create your own top holiday Pinterest craft! It should be a lot of fun!